Jury: DaimlerChrysler Must Pay $25M in Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Jury: DaimlerChrysler Must Pay $25M in Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A jury has ordered DaimlerChrysler to pay $20 million to a retired brake repairman and police officer who had his lung removed because of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos in a toxic tort lawsuit. The jury also ordered DaimlerChrysler to pay $5 million to the man’s wife.

The Manhattan Supreme Court jury awarded the verdict to 70-year-old Alfred D’Ulisse of North Massapequa, NY. The jury also awarded $5 million to D’Ulisse’s wife for past and future loss of companionship, said D’Ulisse’s lawyer, Jerry Kristal.

Liability

The jury found DaimlerChrysler, makers of Merzedes-Benz, and Chrysler brand automobiles – the fifth-largest automaker in the world – 10 percent liable for D’Ulisse’s mesothelioma, claiming that DaimlerChrysler knew about the dangers the asbestos in their products posed and failed to warn of them.

Two companies that have become defunct were each found 35 percent responsible for D’Ulisse’s mesothelioma, said Krystal.

Two other companies were each found 10 percent liable, but they settled out of court with D’Ulisse before the trial. The settlement amounts were undisclosed.

Because DaimlerChrysler was found by the jury to have acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others, under New York law, the company is liable for money owed by non-settling defendants.

As a result, DaimlerChrysler must pay its 10 percent share, along with the two 35 percent shares owed by the defunct companies for a total of 80 percent – $20 million – plus the $5 million to D’Ulisse’s wife.Ulisse’s Mesothelioma

According to Krystal, D’Ulisse contracted the cancer as a result of working at an auto brake repair place in Brooklyn. He worked there full-time from 1960 to 1964, and then part time during parts of his 36 years as a police officer. His job duties included stripping worn brake linings off and replaced them with new ones.

Asbestos is a fire-retardant, heat resistant material that was commonly used in brake components and other motor vehicle parts. It is a hazardous substance that has been known to cause health problems, including mesothelioma, since the 30’s.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed as a result of exposure to a hazardous substance, please contact us today for a free consultation with a caring and experienced attorney who can help you recover the compensation you may be entitled to.

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